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Live: What To Know April 5 About COVID-19 In Wisconsin

Number Of Total Cases Of COVID-19 In State Is Rising

By WPR Staff

Published:

Sunday, April 5, 2020, 8:00am

Updated:

Sunday, April 5, 2020, 2:00pm

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The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in the state continues to grow.

The state Department of Health Services announced Sunday there are 2,267 positive casesof COVID-19 statewide and 68 deaths. That does not include five additional deaths Milwaukee County is reporting, raising the statewide total to 73.

As the response to the virus evolves, Wisconsin Public Radio will be keeping track of up-to-date happenings here, and in our broadcast and online coverage. If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19 — either about the virus, prevention or preparation — ask us and we'll do our best to answer.

For explanations for common questions and additional information about COVID resources, read WisContext's story listing 10 things to know about the pandemic and public health in the state.

1:55 PM: DHS Announces 2,267 Positive COVID-19 Cases, 68 Deaths

The state Department of Health Services announced on Sunday that there are now 2,267 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin. This is 155 new cases from Saturday.

The number of people who have died from the disease also rose in the last 24 hours, from 56 people as of Saturday afternoon to 68 people on Saturday, according to DHS numbers. That does not include five additional deaths Milwaukee County is reporting.

11:46 AM: Dane County Business Grant Fund Grows

Dane County has increased available funding to local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. The grant program was $250,000 when announced Wednesday. On Sunday the pandemic assistance fund to help small businesses was increased to $800,000.

Dane Buy Local will administer the grants and has​ information about the County’s grant program on their website www.danebuylocal.com.

11:47 AM: National Guard Sets Up Sheboygan Testing Site

The Wisconsin National Guard sent a team of 30 soldiers and airmen to the Sunny Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Sunday where they tested facility staff and residents in support of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Sheboygan County Division of Public Health.

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The Guard established drive-thru testing for staff before going inside to test residents. Local health officials identified an outbreak at the facility in the past week.

In March, a team of six Wisconsin National Guard medics also helped the staff at a senior living facility in Grafton which had an outbreak of COVID-19 cases and not enough workers.

10 AM: Biden Raises Idea Of Virtual DNC

Joe Biden says the Democratic National Convention may need to take place online as the pandemic continues to reshape the race for the White House.

The convention in Milwaukee already has been pushed back from mid-July until August. The former vice president told ABC's "This Week'' that the party "may have to do a virtual convention."

He said Democrats may not be able to put tens of thousands of people in one place.

Biden has a commanding lead in delegates needed to clinch his party’s presidential nomination.

Biden also said he plans to wear a mask in public, heeding new federal guidelines.

SATURDAY: Wisconsin Gets Federal Disaster Declaration

Wisconsin will get federal help in paying for the cost of its COVID-19 response. Gov. Tony Evers on Saturday afternoon announced that the state has been granted "a major disaster declaration for the entire state of Wisconsin as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic."

The designation comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and will make federal assistance available to state and local governments. In a statement, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator Darrell L. Williams said the state will "work with communities across Wisconsin to ensure federal disaster assistance is received as quickly as possible."

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